More on News

Kris Marshall has quit BBC One’s Death In Paradise after four years on the show

Kris Marshall has announced his departure from Death In Paradise, explaining how he wants to “spend more time with family”.

Marshall has spent four years on the BBC One crime drama as character DI Humphrey Goodman. He has contributed to the show’s successful ratings, with it reaching 8.76 million viewers in 2016. However, the British actor has now decided to walk away from the series, handing over a role to Father Ted‘s Ardal O’Hanlon instead.

Marshall reflected fondly about his time filming, saying: “Death in Paradise has been an incredible experience, six months every year filming on a tropical island in the sunshine – what’s not to love!”

“Humphrey was socially awkward and clumsy but also brilliant, I’ll miss him but it’s time to hand over to someone new and spend more time with my family. I know Ardal will do a superb job and I just hope Humphrey gets a happy ending!”

How the star will be making his exit from the show remains unknown, but it has been confirmed that Ardal O’Hanlon’s character will be making his first appearance during Thursday’s episode (February 2).

Ardal O’Hanlon said: ‘I am delighted to be joining Death in Paradise and exploring what’s made Mooney up and leave London for a life in the Caribbean. I’ve already had a taste of filming in Guadeloupe and can’t wait to get back.’

Marshall originally took over from Ben Miller who played DI Richard Poole and left Death In Paradise in 2014.

Although the My Family star initially worried he may turn “a show that gets nearly eight million viewers into a show that gets four million viewers”, Marshall ended up being one of the series’ biggest triumphs and his character will no doubt be greatly missed.